| Notes |
- Elizabeth (Betsy) Wheeler was born 16 Oct. 1789 in Chesterville, New Hampshire. She was the daughter of Randall and Experience Alden Wheeler. In 1815, when she was 25 years old she married Gideon Russell Brownell in Mass. He was also 25 years old, having been born 5 May 1789 in Danby, Rutla Co. Vermont. His parents were Benjamin Brownell and Mary Ann Russell.
According to the family group sheet in possession of Violet Cook, this young couple made their first home in Quebec, Canada, where Betsy gave birth to twin girls on 2 March 1816. They were named Mary Ann and Experience after each of the girl's grandmothers. Experience died as a child.
About 1817 Gideon moved Betsy to Ohio. Here they lived about 25 years. Betsy gave birth to Zora in 1817, she died young, Gideon Russell in 1818, Fanny Elizabeth in 1820, Gladys in 1821 - died as a child, and Hannah, in 1823 - died as a child.
The Brownells were perhaps still living in Ohio when they heard all the stories about the young boy Joseph Smith in New York who claimed to have heavenly visions. They would hear about the Mormon Church being organized and about the Latter-day Saints moving to Kirland Ohio.
We don't know just which missionaries explained the gospel to them in such a way that they were converted, but both Gideon and Betsy were baptized the same time, in May of 1841. (Children, Mary Ann was baptized 21 March 1845, Zora in 8 Sept. 1843 - died, and Fanny in October 1845).
As soon as the Brownell family became affiliated with the Mormon Church they thought it would be best to go to Nauvoo, Ill. Where the main body of saints were then assembling. They wee no doubt there when the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred in Carthage jail, and were grieved with the rest at this terrible thing.
Betsy's daughter, Julia, married James Myler while they were in Nauvoo. Betsy did what she could to assist her husband (and sons) in their work one the Nauvoo Temple, so it could be completed to perform the sacred ordinances for which it was being built. Under great trials and financial difficulties and severe mob persecutions, this valiant band of people accomplished this great thing. Gideon and Betsy received their endowments and sealings on January 3, 1846 in the Nauvoo temple.
We are all familiar with the mob persecutions and the great exodus of the saints from Nauvoo, across the ice clogged Mississippi River, into Iowa. The Brownell family were as ill prepared as the thousands of other homeless refugees who spent the cold and disagreeable winter at a temporary camp at Winter Quarters.
As if the trials of the Mormons weren't enough, on 26 June 1846, Colonel S. W. Kearny of the U.S. Army, issued a "circular to the Mormons," delivered by Catp. James Allen to enlist the volunteer services of some 500 men to right the war with Mexico. President Young could see the hand of the Lord in this. Here was a way where by the soldiers could receive army pay which money could be used to get their families across the plains. (Essential in Church History) All the able bodied men of the camp were much enthused over this idea, and came forth and volunteered for this trek.
We find in the book "Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, p. 44, which lists the names of the officers of Company "C", the name of Russell G. Brownell, musician (Corporal at M.O.)
This was an anxious time for Betsy Brownell because, on page 415 of Treasures of Pioneer History" we note that on July 21st, 1846, five companies of Mormon volunteers marched away from Winter Quarters. Gideon was 57 years old, and this was a trek fitting for younger men. Betsy worried that the trip might be too hard on him. He was also concerned about leaving her, who was also 57, living in a wagon box with her daughter, Julia Myler and her 2 little children. But Gideon and his son-in-law, James Myler braved the hardships of the march to Santa Fe and were mustered out in California.
They returned to their loved ones in December 1848. The menfolks got work in Missouri the rest of the winter in preparation to cross the plains in the early summer. "Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah" also Julia's history says that they crossed the plains in William Miller's company, and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, September 22, 1849.
However, they did not remain long in Salt Lake, but went North to Farmington in Davis County. From the Farmington write-up in the Davis County book, "East of Antelope Island" we get the interest information that Hector C. Haight, who crossed the plains in 1847, was the first man to locate his family in this district. Of course, others soon followed in their search for permanent homes.
It is recorded on page 42 of Jensen's Church Chronology, that on Tuesday, January 21, 1851, President Brigham Young and party held a meeting with the people of North Cottonwood (Farmington) in the school house, and appointed Gideon Brownell presiding Elder of that Branch.
Betsy enjoyed living in Farmington. She found the people friendly and kind. She appreciated the comfortable home Gideon provided for her and the association of her children and grandchildren.
The group sheet in possession of Violet Cook give the information who Betsy's children married as follows: Mary Ann married Ascot Sherbourke, Gideon Russell Jr. married Malissa Call, Fanny Elizabeth married James Harimson, Julia Ann married James Myler and Benjamin married Caroline Ann Howell. (We can't find out how many of them came to Utah).
In 1859 Julia Ann and her husband and family moved to Logan. In 1862 Gideon was released from the Bishop's job in Farmington, then they moved to Logan to be with their daughter. They were both 73 years old at the time.
The family record shows that Gideon Russell Brownell died in Logan 16 March 1871 and Elizabeth (Betsy) Wheeler Brownell, died in Logan 5 September 1871. They had both reached the good old age of 82. They had lived 56 years together, enduring and enjoying the good and the bad things of life.
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.
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1789 - 1870 (80 years)